Handbook

This subject aims to introduce students to scientific research, and involves a project in which the student investigates a scientific problem carried out under the supervision of a member of staff, or, in some cases, an external person with appropriate experience. Students can choose a project from the list of suggested topics or can suggest their own projects, provided they can obtain appropriate supervision approved by the subject co-ordinator. The project involves either acquisition of new data or use of an existing dataset, which must be analysed and interpreted, and written up as a report describing the problem addressed, the scientific basis of the study, the data acquisition, the analysis and interpretation. Each student will also give a short (~10 minute) oral PowerPoint presentation on their research outcomes to the class. This subject addresses La Trobe's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Essential which entails developing the ability to tackle problems creatively, generating new ideas, taking calculated risks and creating change to achieve ambitions now and in the future.